Locals star in UK

East Gippsland nurse Julie Hawke has just returned from London where she presented her work with local Indigenous Elders to an international conference. The work focuses on 'end of life care' and both records the stories of the Elders and also allows them to plan their final days.

The second International Society of Advanced Care Planning and End of Life Care conference brought delegates in the caring professions from around the world to London to discuss this growing area of health.

Julie Hawke and a colleague from northern Victoria caught the attention of the delegates by beginning their presentation with a didgeridoo player helping to set the scene for what was to follow.

Julie's work saw staff from the Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-operative interview Elders from the community about their lives, where they were born and also how they would like to live out their final days.

The personal booklet which resulted from the interviews also included any requests for how the elder would like their funeral to be conducted.

Far from being a morbid experience, Jenny says the project has been a positive one.

"We've had some lovely stories from our clients who want Essendon balloons, scarves and things on their coffin."

Julie says one of the most surprising things to arise from the interviews was how easily the Elders shared their stories with staff who were not Aboriginal.

"From my perspective it takes a lot of time to build trust with our clients especially for the non-Aboriginal staff...For the clients to actually open up and start telling their story, that was amazing to watch. The staff now know their clients better and can approach their care better. It was just amazing to see."

The conference delegates received the Gippsland work very favourably and Julie found herself approached by delegates form other First Nation people hoping to learn more about the project and how they might employ it in such countries as Canada and the United States.